The President reminded that recently it had been 20 years since the adoption of the law “On national minorities in Ukraine” some rules of which require improvement and modernization.
“Last year the Cabinet of Ministers was instructed to bring amendments to this law for the parliamentary consideration. The conclusions of Venice Commission and of other European institutions should be taken into consideration in respective elaborations. Yet the implementation of such changes must be preceded by the adoption of the Concept of state ethnonational policy of Ukraine. It has already been introduced to Verkhovna Rada,” the President noted.
The President urged members of the Public Humanitarian Council to actively participate in the discussion of this Concept.
Another fundamental document on countering and prevention of incidents of xenophobia and intolerance in Ukrainian society, according to the President, is the Strategy of combating discrimination.
“It plays significant role regarding liberalization of visa regime with the EU and harmonization of our legislation to the European standards,” Viktor Yanukovych noted.
In this context, according to the President, the role of society increases. It has to demonstrate its active position and react to the incidents of discrimination. The President expressed confidence that state bodies should cooperate more closely with civil organizations and institutions (particularly international) that counter xenophobia and intolerance.
